) 


AN 


HISTORICAL  ADDRESS 


DELIVEEED  AT  THE  DEDICATION  OF 


I 


.jji 


!ACK  CREEK  CHURCH, 


MAECH  21st;  1857, 


BY 


KEY.  S.  C.  ALEXANDER  Pastor. 


PUBLISHED  BY  REQUEST  OF  THE  CONGREGATION. 


SALISBURY: 


n 


PRINTED  AT  THE  "HERALD"  OFFICE. 


1857. 


CORRESPONDENCE. 


) 


I 
) 

) 
} 

; 


Arart  26,  1857. 

Rev.  and  Dear  Sir: — At  a  meeting  on  the  4th  instant,  of  the  members  of 
Back  Creek  Church,  the  undersigned  were  appointed  a  committee  to  wait  on  \ 
you  and  request  a  copy  of  the  Historical  Address  delivered  on  the  21st  ulti-  ( 
mo  for  publication.  A  regard  for  posterity,  and  the  perpetuity  of  so  valua-  \ 
ble  a  record  of  the  almost  lost  History  of  our  Church,  gathered  with  much  ) 
care  and  research,  ought  to  be  had  in  a  more  permanent  form. 

You  -will  confer  a  favor  that  will  meet  the  desire  of  many  friends  in  thus 

complying.  ) 

Very  respectfully  yours, 

JAMES  E.  ANDREW,        )  p  • 

DAVID  R.  BRADS  HAW,    /  ^ommmee-  j 

Rev.  S.  C.  Alexander.  \ 


Miranda,  Rowan  County,  N.  C,      ) 
{  April  29,  1857.  / 

>  Gentlesien  :— 1  received  your  note  to-day,  asking  for  a  copy  of  the  His- 

c      torical  Address  delivered  by  me,  at  the  dedication  of  Back  Ci'eek  Church. — 
)      If  it  can  add  any  thing  to  the  honor  or  welfare  of  Christ's  Kingdom,  1  most      \ 
cheerfully  acquiesce  in  your  request.  I 

S.  C.  ALEXANDER. 

James  E.  Andrews,      ")  „  ) 

~  T>    t>  >  Committee.  \ 

David  R.  Bradshaw,  j  ' 

i 
) 

) 

) 

S 


>%) 


) 

) 

\     ence  of  Incarnate  Deitv. 


The  Prince  of  Peace  in  the  fulness  of  time  entered  its 


HISTORICAL  ADDRESS.  j 

!       -  ! 

IIaggai,  2 — T).     "The  glory  of  this  latter  house  shall  be  greater  than  of  , 

j  the  former,  saith  the  Lord  of  Hosts,  and  in  this  place  will  I  give  peace,  saith  ) 

r  the  Lord  of  Hosts."  \ 

I              .  ) 

>         IIaggai  had  looked  through  the  glass  of  prophecy,  and  ; 

)  beheld  in  the  far  dim  distance  of  more  than  five  centuries,  $ 

)  the   Temple   which  was  built  in  his  da}r,  still   standing, 

)  crowned  with  a  bright  halo  of  glory.     Although  not  deck-  ) 

{  ed   with   Golconda's   gems,  nor  overlaid  with  the  gold  of  ) 

\  Ophir,  no  pillar  of  fii-e  adorned  its  summit,  and  no  Sheclii-  S 

)  nah  was  there.     Its  architectural  beauty  and  magnificent  , 

(  proportions,    were  great,    it  is    true,  but    vastly    inferior  ) 

c  to  the  first,  the  Temple  of  Solomon.     Notwithstanding  all  s 

\  this,  the  Prophet  is  bold  to  declare,  that  the  "glory  of  this  ] 

f>  latter  house  shall  be  greater  than  of  the  former,"  yea  infin 


) 
s 

iteiy  greater,  because  it  was  to  be  honored  with  the  pres-    \ 


\ 


portals,  and  the  glory  of  Messiah  was  its  crowning  excel- 

)     lency.     The  more  spiritual  dispensation  of  the    Christian  \ 

J>     Church  was  to  be  built  upon  the  ruins  of  the  Mosaic  econo-  ) 

i  ( 


( 

) 

) 
) 


HISTORICAL   ADDRESS. 


my.  The  typical  ceremoney  of  the  Jewish  ritual,  was  to 
be  exchanged  for  the  immediate  worship  of  the  meek  and 
lowly  Jesus.  The  humble  disciple  could  thus  make  a  near- 
er approach  to  his  God ;  and  himself  become  a  priest,vand 
an  honored  Levite  from  whatever  nation  or  tribe  lie  may 
have  sprung. 

The  first  Temple  stood  in  peerless  grandeur,  as  the  cen- 
tre-point of  Hebrew  worship,  and  the  capitol  of  a  theocrat- 
ic government.  It  held  in  its  types  and  shadows,  the  germs 
of  the  Christian  Religion,  which  were  to  be  developed  in 
the  person  of  the  Saviour,  who,  in  the  appointed  time,  ap- 
peared as  the  "greater  glory  of  the  latter  house."  In  oth- 
er words,  the  Prophet  means  to  say,  that  the  moral  gran- 
deur of  the  Christian  Religion  is  to  be  greater  and  more 
glorious  than  all  the  physical  splendor  of  the  Temple  ser- 
vice, even  in  its  palmiest  days.  Its  gorgeous  worship,  and 
imposing  ritual  are  not  to  be  compared  with  the  beautiful 
simplicity  of  the  last,  and  more  spiritual  dispensation. — 
Hence,  of  a  truth,  "  the  glory  of  this  latter  house  was 
greater  than  of  the  former."  "And  in  this  place,"  adds 
the  Prophet,  "will  I  i^\\Q  peace  saith  the  Lord  of  Hosts." 
And  He  who  has  all  power  in  heaven  and  earth,  is  able  to 
\    meet  every  promise,  and  to  fulfill  every  prophecy. 

\  "In  this  place,"  in  the  second  Temple,  the  Prince  of 
Peace  did  appear,  and  brought  peace  to  troubled  souls. — 
He  came  to  loose  the  fetters  of  sin,  and  bid  the  captives 
go  free.  He  came  to  proclaim  pardon  to  the  condemned — 
freedom  to  the  enslaved,  and  liberty  to  a  world  in  bondage. 
He  came  to  break  down  the  wall  which  encircled  the  chil- 
dren of  Abraham,  to  offer  peace  to  all  the  nations  of  earth. 
The  Gentile  world  had  ever  been  cast  off,  and  for  thous- 
ands of  years  wandered  in  their  own  ways.     Now,  they  are 


m 


4V# 


HISTORICAL    ADDRESS. 


)     called  to  partake  of  the  blessings,  and  enjoy  the  peace  of 
)     the  Gospel  of  the  Son  of  God. 

J 

But,  we  do  not  purpose  on  this  occasion,  placing  in  con- 
trast the  excellencies  of  the  first  and  of  the  second  Temple. 
'Not  the  greater  glory  of  the  Christian  Dispensation,  when 
compared  with  the  Jewish.     However  pleasant  and  proflt- 

')     able  this  might  be,  yet  circumstances  naturally  turn  our 


thoughts  in  another  direction. 


We  have  met  to-day  to  dedicate  this  house  to  the  wor- 
ship of  Almighty  God;  and  to  pray  that  he  may  "give 
peaee"  to  us  in  this  place,  and  to  our  successors,  even  down  ( 
till  the  end  of  time.  We  have  also  met  to  celebrate  the  c 
goodness  of  the  Lord,  as  manifested  to  us  and  our  fathers, 
for  more  than  half  a  century.  Although  God  has  not  visi-  i 
ted  us  in  dreadful  splendor,  as  he  did  ancient  Israel,  neith- 
er has  this  mount  of  ordinances  been  overshadowed  with  ) 
the  thick  clouds  of  darkness,  Jehovah's  chariot.  Nor  has 
it  been  illuminated  with  His  lightnings,  nor  shaken  with  the 
thunders  of  Sinai.  1  et  He  has  often  condescended  to  make 
known  His  stately  steppings  in  our  midst.  Often  have  the 
genial  showers  of  divine  grace  watered  this  part  of  His 
vineyard.  It  will  doubtless  be  both  interesting  and  profit- 
able, to  trace  the  history  of  this  Church  from  its  beginning 
to  the  present  time.  To  recount  the  throes  and  pangs  con- 
nected with  its  birth — to  observe  its  healthy  growth,  and  its 
steady  march  onward  and  upward.  We  wish  also  to  re- 
member gratefully  her  first  Pastor,  who  broke  unto  this 
people  the  Bread  of  Life — who  led  them  by  the  still  waters, 
and  through  the  green  pastures  of  a  Saviour's  love ;  and 
then  to  glance  at  his  successors.  We  wish,  also,  to  notice 
briefly,  those  noble  men  'who  first  ruled  in  this  Church, 


\  f  •»    1-% 

X     6 


( 


HISTORICAL   ADDRESS. 


but  who  are  now  fallen  asleep ;  and  then  to  number  their 
)  successors.  Thus  we  desire  to  bring-  to  recollection  "  the 
former  things"  that  if  possible,  we  may  catch  something 
of  the  spirit  and  zeal  of  our  fathers  ;  that  we  may  be  stim- 
ulated to  nobler  actions*  more  enlarged  benevolence,  and 
greater  energy. 

Owing  to  the  entire  want  of  the  early  records  of  this 
Church,  this  task  is  attended,  with  not  a  few  difficulties.-— 
For  more  than  a  score  of  years  there  is  not  a  Sessional  Re- 
cord to  be  found,  nothing  official  is  left  to  show,  whether 
the  Session  ever  met,  or  in  fact  whether  there  was  a  Session 
at  all  or  not,  until  the  15th  of  May,  1830.  It  is  not  a  little 
surprising  that  men  so  accurate  as  were  our  ancestors,  who 
<j  did  every  thing  by  rule,  should  have  entirely  neglected  this 
important  matter.     But,  notwithstanding  this,  we  have  been 


( 


so  fortunate,  as  to  find  a  few  old  documents  which  long  ) 
since  have  been  carried  into  the  garret,  or  thrown  into  some 
unfrequented  corner,  which  give  valuable  statistics  and  re- 
veal important  truths.  Moreover,  there  are  yet  two  or  three 
venerable  fathers  with  us,  who  remember  well  the  early 
history  of  Back  Creek ;  and  also,  the  "  times  of  refreshing 
which  came  from  the  presence  of  the  Lord"  in  1801,  2  and 
3.  Their  eyes  still  flash,  and  their  hearts  kindle  afresh  when 
they  tell  us  of  those  times.     But  let  us  commence  our  story : 

During  the  latter  part  of  last  century,  infidelity  spread 
like  a  contagion  all  over  our  country,  from  one  end  of  it  to  the 
other.  It  gathered  round  the  Church,  and  settled  down  up- 
on it  like  a  thick  cloud  of  moral  death.  Although  far  re- 
moved from  the  busy  marts  and  thorough-fares  of  the  world, 
this  retired  part  of  the  Lord's  vineyard  did  not  wholly  es- 
cape the  infection.  A  cold  dead  formality  had  well  nigh 
chilled  the  vitals  of  true  religion.     But  this  state  of  things    < 


HISTORICAL   ADDRESS.  7 

\ ' . , ( 

:'               .            .  < 

>     was  not  permitted  to  remain  long.     God  heard  and  answer-  "J> 

ed  the   prayers   of  his   faithful   servants.     His  life-giving  j 

spirit  was  sent  forth  with  power,  and  breathed  upon  the  ) 

valley  of  dry  bones,  and  an  army  of  living  men  stood  up  S 

to  praise  Jehovah's  name.     This  was  an  important  era  in  (. 

)     the  history  of  our  Church  and  country.     It  was  a  time  s 

when  angels  in  heaven,  and  men  on  earth  rejoiced  together.  \ 

It  was  a  time  when  a  most  powerful  and  sudden  death-  ( 

)     stroke  was  given  to  the  cause  uf  infidelity.     So  that  its  hid-  \ 

\     eous  form  has  never  since  been  reared  so  high  in  the  ma-  \ 

I 

jesty  of  its  ugliness  to  pollute  and  annoy  the  Church.     Thy-  I 

atira  with  her  then  widely  extended  limits,  seems  to  have  < 

been  thoroughly  aroused  in  those  exciting  times.  \ 

\ 

As  in  all  communities,  so  in  that  venerable  Church,  there  I 

\     necessarilv   existed    a  great  diversity  of  sentiment.     The  ( 

{     time  had  now  come,  when  this  diversity  was  to  be  fully  < 
\     manifested.     The  Revival  of  1802,  let  it  be  remembered 


) 


was  accompanied  with  many  strange  phenomena,  such  as 
"jerking,"  "leaping,"  "shouting,"  "swooning,"  and  many 


such-like  bodily  exercises.     Those  who  were  possessed  of 


< 


) 


\  more  ardent  zeal  and  strong  affection,  thought  this  aneces- 
<J  sary  part  of  the  revival,  and  produced  by  the  influence  of 
c  the  Spirit.  While  those  of  a  more  phlegmatic  tempera- 
<  ment,  and  less  impulsive  nature,  looked  upon  it  as  dross 
around  die  precious  metal ;  or  rather,  as  the  work  of  Satan 
trying  to  counterfeit  and  hinder  the  work  of  religion.  Thus 
there  were  two  parties  formed,  and  each  doubtless,  consci- 
entiously thought  they  were  right.  Those  who  favored  the 
"exercises"  were  called  the  "  revival  party ,"  as  if  they  a  one 
were  desirous  of  promoting  the  cause  of  religion.  While 
those  who  thought  differently  were  called  "  opposers "  or  \ 
"anti-revivalists,"  as  if  they  wished  to  hold  back  the  Gos-     ) 


)       8  HISTORICAL    ADDRESS.  ) 


pel  car.  One  party  wished  to  have  profound  silence  dur- 
ing public  worship.  It  mattered  not  how  eloquent  the 
speaker  was,  or  how  powerful  the  movings  of  the  Spirit, 
all  must  be  quiet  and  still.  The  other  party  wished  to  give 
vent  to  their  feelings  in  whatever  way  inclination  might 
lead.  If  they  felt  happy  they  would  shout  aloud  for  joy, 
or  if  distressed  they  would  cry  out  for  mercy.  The  congre- 
gation ofttimes  presenting  the  appearance  of  a  Bochim-Ba- 
bel. 


Thus  the  matter  went  on  for  two  or  three  years  each 
party  becoming  more  and  more  sensitive  ;  and  owing  to  the 
weakness  of  human  nature,  one  seemed  to  exasperate  the 
(  other,  until  it  become  evident  to  all  that  some  final  and  de- 
)  cisive  action  should  be  taken  for  the  welfare  of  the  Church. 
>  A  day  of  fasting  and  humiliation  was  appointed,  that  they 
;  might  pray  for  wisdom  to  guide  them  in  the  path  of  duty, 
)  and  that  they  might  adopt  some  plan  of  action  which  would 
be  for  their  peace  and  edification.  The  day  was  according- 
ly observed.  At  which  meeting  the  Session  was  publicly 
charged  with  a  neglect  of  their  duty  in  permitting  what 
was  looked  on  by  one  party  as  disorder  and  confusion  to 
exist,  in  time  of  public  worship.  The  Elders  defended 
their  conduct  in  a  mild  and  christian-like  manner,  but  all 
to  no  purpose.  Neither  party  was  willing  to  submit  to  the 
other.  Thus  the  day  seemed  likely  to  close  without  having 
bettered  their  condition.  But  something  must  be  clone  was 
the  universal  feeling.  Whereupon,  it  was  resolved  unani- 
mously, tha  all  those  who  sympathised  with  the  "  Revival 
Party,"  and  acted  under  its  influence,  should  be  permitted 
to  withdraw  from  the  Congregation,  and  leave  the  other 
party  in  the  quiet  possession  of  their  house  and  minister. 
This  resolution  was  acted  upon  immediately,  when  about 


kg  Jg] 


~ — » 

t 

>                                                    HISTORICAL   ADBBESS,                                               9  < 

;  - — ,           : 

)     thirty  families  withdrew,  including  five  Elders- — all   that  < 

Thvatira   then   had — men   of  whom  the  world    might  be  < 

■                         .  < 
:     proud.     This  was  the  birth-day  of  Back  Geek.     The  mo- 


ther travailed  with  pain,  and  a  noble  daughter  was  born, — 

Thus  the  infant  colony,  springing  off  from  the  western     ) 
part  of  Thyatira  principally,  was  left  without  a  minister,     < 
and  without  a  house  in  which  to  worship.     But  with  zeal     )' 
like  theirs,  with  hearts  so  large,  and  hands  so  willing,  all 
difficulties  were  soon  removed,  and  their  .necessities  met. 
They  resolved  to  build   a  house  in  their  midst,  in  which 
they  could  worship  as  their  conscience  dictated. 


To  this  resolution  Thyatira,  and  a  great  part  of  the  Min- 


) 
i 

) 

isters  of  the  Presbytery,  were  much  opposed.     Thyatira 


was  grieved  at  the  loss  of  so  many  of  her  best  men,  and  the 


whole  matter  was  duly  considered,  and  after  much  discus- 
sion, was  postponed  till  the  next  Fall  meeting.  The  little 
colony  continued  to  meet  on  the  Sabbath,*  and  spend  its 


^During  this  time  the  Congregation  worshipped  in  a  large  barn,  about  a 
mile  distant  from  the  present  Church.  This  was  continued  until  Presbytery 
granted  them  their  request,  and  recognized  them  as  a  Church.     Tins  is  also 


Clergy  were  afraid  lest  the  movement  would  result  in  more 
\     harm  than  good.     Thus  the  infant  colony  was  called  to  meet 
new  difficulties  at  every  step  in  its  progress.      \  et  withal, 
)     undaunted  it  pursued  its  course.     And  in  <  >rder  that  it  might 
not  appear  to  be  acting  contrary  to  the  "powers  that  be," 
the  venerable  John  Barr  was  chosen  as  a  delegate  to  the 
\     next  meeting  of  Concord  Presbytery,  which  was  to  hold  its     j 
J     sessions  at  Hopewell  Church,  and  to  commence  on  the  14th 
March,  1805,  there  to  present  a  petition  from  the  people  he     ) 
represented,  asking  Presbytery  to  grant  them  a  dismission 
from  the  mother  Church,  and  to  organize  a  Church  in  their 
midst,  to  be  known  as  the  Church  of  Back   Creek.     The     ) 


m 


10  HISTORICAL   ADDRESS. 


sacred  hours  in  reading  the  Scriptures — in  exhortation, 
prayer  and  praise.  Their  heart  was  fixed  on  having  a 
separate  Church  organization.  Accordingly,  at  the  next 
meeting   of  Presbytery,  which  was  at  Rocky  Hirer,  Mr. 

Thomas  Cowan  and  Mr.  • Locke  appeared  en  behalf  of 

Thyatira  to  advocate  her  rights,  and  to  oppose  the  petition 
of  the  colony ;  and  Mr.  John  Ban*  appeared  in  behalf  of 
the  petitioners. 

The  subject  was  one  of  no  small  importance.  The  inter- 
est  of  Christ's  kingdom  in  this  community  was  at  stake. — 
'  The  venerable  Presbyters  felt  the  weight  of  responsibility 
resting  on  them.  Patiently  and  calmly  they  pondered  the 
matter,  and  finally  concluded  from  all  the  attending  circum- 
stances,  that  it  would  be  the  part  of  wisdom  to  grant  the 
petitioners  their  request — Provided,  the  spot  on  which  they 
purposed  building  their  house  of  worship,  was  not  less  than 
live  miles  distant  from  Thyatira.  And  in  order  that  all 
parties  might  be  satisfied  with  regard  to  the  requirement  in 
the  proviso,  the  venerable  Dr.  Hall,  of  Iredell,  travelled 
over  the  road  between  the  two  places,  with  his  famous  sul- 
ky, and  found  it  to  be  on  close  measurement,  the  distance 
required.  Thus,  on  the  fifth  day  of  September,  1805,  the 
Church  of  Back  Creek  was  recognized  as  a  separate  organ- 
ization, and  was  accordingly  enrolled  with  the  other 
Churches  under  the  care  of  the  Presbytery  of  Concord. — 
Although  fortune  at  first  seemed  to  frown,  it  soon  began  to 
smile  upon  them.  Soon  they  had  erected  for  themselves  a 
comfortable  little  log  house  in  which  they  worshipped  for 
several  years,  which  is  still  standing,  and  serves  to  remind 
us  of  olden  times.     Doubtless  many  hallowed  associations 


a  beautiful  instance  of  submission  to  the  rightful  authority  of  "the  powers 
]      that  be."  ) 

gg          ^  ___       . n 


HISTORICAL    ADDRESS.  11       j> 

< 

c 

cluster  around  that  ancient  building.  Although  nearly 
}  all  who  worshipped,  within  its  walls,  have  fallen  asleep,  or 
are,  like  unto  it,  fast  going  hack  unto  the  dust  again,  not 
many  years  elapsed  until  it  became  necessary  to  have  a  j 
more  spacious  building.  { 

In  1811,  the  venerable  house,  that  we  have  just  left,  was     < 
)     erected.     The  little  flock  having  thus    struggled   through     c 

( 


s 


many  difficulties,  and  having  at  last  gained  for  itself  "  a 
local  habitation  and  a  name,"  still  there  was  no  shepherd 
to  watch  over  them,  and  to  lead  them  through  green  pas- 
tures There  was  no  one  to  feed  them  with  the  bread  of 
heaven.  Although  they  were  feeble,  no  task  was  too  hard 
for  them  to  accomplish  if  it,  tended  to  their  spiritual  wel- 
fare, and  to  the  glory  of  God.  They  immediately  sought 
for  a  Pastor,  and  obtained  the  services  of  the  Rev.  J.  1). 
Kilpatrick  for  one  half  of  his  time.  And  on  the  nintli  of 
April, ,1807}  Presbytery  being  at  Poplar  Tent,  he  received  and  J 
accepted  their  call, — Back.  Creek's  first  call  to  her  first  Pas-  S 
tor.  O  that  she  could  always  call  such  men,  when  a  Pas-  \ 
tor  is  needed.  S 


I 


Mr.  Kilpatrick  was  emphatically  the  very  man  for  the 
people  who  called  him.     He  suited  in  every  respect.     There 
was  a  remarkable  degree  of  congeniality  in  their  tempera-     I 
mentis;  both' w ere  naturally  warm-hearted  and  impulsive.     < 

11  was  truly  a  happy  day  when  this  union  was  formed. — 
It  was  a  meeting  of  kindred   spirits.     It  may  be  both  ap-     ) 
propriate  and  interesting  here,   to  give  a  brief  historical     ) 
sketch  of  this  eminent  servant  of  the  Lord. 


lie  was  born  October  the  8th,  1763,  near  Poplar  Tent  ( 
Church,  in  wliat  is  now  Cabarrus  County,  North  Carolina.  ) 
The  e  is  a  tradition  that  he  descended  from  some  illustrious     ) 


Hg'~>"~~^~     -——-——    -^^^— -— ^^^^^^-~-.-~       ^  -  ™ 


(, 


12  HISTORICAL   ADDRESS. 


After  his  sojourn  there,  he  came  to  Salisbury,  and  spent 
about  eighteen  months,  in  order  to  complete  his  classical 
course,  under  the  training  of  the  learned  John  Brown,  D. 
D.,  who  was  afterwards  successively  President  of  Colum- 
bia College,  South  Carolina,  and  of  Athens  College  Geor- 
gia. Being  thus  thoroughly  armed  and  equipped  for  use- 
fulness, he  was  led  in  the  good  providence  of  God  to  feel 
it  was  his  duty  to  become  a  watchman  on  Zion's  walls. — ■ 
lie  immediately  commenced  the  study  of  theology  under 
the  direction  of  Rev.  James  Hall,  D.  D.  We  are  not  in- 
formed at  what  time  he  was  licensed ;  but  at  the  age  of 
thirty,  he  was  ordained  to  the  full  work  of  the  Gospel  min- 
istry by  the  Presbytery  of  Orange, f  and  installed  Pastor  of 
Third  Creek  Church. 


-Gen.  Andrew  Jackson  was  a  class- mate  of  Mr.  Kilpatrick,  and  it  so  turn- 
ed out  that  they  were  both  charmed  with  the  same  lovely  lassie.     But  she 


(<i 


family  in  the  North  of  Ireland.  But  without  any  records 
or  reliable  documents  to  point  out  his  ancestral  lineage,  it 
is  impossible  for  us  to  establish  either  its  truth  or  its  falsity.     ) 


The  days  of  his  boyhood  we  infer,  were  spent  in  retirement 
at  the  old  home-stead,  in  Cabarrus.  But,  after  he  had 
grown  to  riper  years,  he  commenced  the  study  of  the  clas- 
sics— was  sent  to  Mr.  Finley's  celebrated  Academy,  in 
the  Waxhaw  settlement.  At  the  age  of  twenty-one,  while 
there  reading  Virgil,  and  passing  through,  not  only  the 
books,  but  also  the  period  of  poetry,  he  was  captivated  by 
the  charms  of  one  of  Adam's  fairest  daughters.  The  love- 
ly Miss  Dickey,  of  Waxhaw,  claimed  the  young  man  of 
promise  as  her  own.  It  was  not  long  till  they  stood  be- 
fore the  altar  of  Hymen,  and  in  the  presence  of  angels  and 
men,  became  plighted  partners  for  future  life.* 


m 


1IIST0KICAL    ADDRESS.  13       ) 


chose  rather  the  fortunes  of  the  soldier  of  the  Cross,  than  the  honors  of  him 
who  was  destined  to  be  one  of  America's  proudest  military  chieftains. 


( 


About  thirteen  years  after,  on  the  9th  of  April,  1807,  he 
was  also  called  to  the  Pastorate  of  Back  Creek  Church,  as  ( 
before  stated,  one  half  his  time  at  each  place.  Thus  early  ; 
was  he  fixed  permanently  in  his  field  of  labor.  He  had  a  ; 
great  work  to  do,  and  God  spared  his  life  and  gave  him  j 
strength  to  perform  it.  Pie  continued  to  labor  in  the  field 
in  which  he  was  located  until  death  "  closed  his  bright  eye  ) 
and  curbed  his  high  career."  For  more  than  thirty-live 
years  he  was  the  Pastor  of  Third  Creek,  and  for  more  than 
twenty-two  years  of  that  time,  he  also  led  the  flock  of  Back 
Creek,  to  the  fountain  of  Salvation.  The  great  work  of 
building  up  the  kingdom  of  Christ  continued  to  be  the  all 
absorbing  object  of  his  life,  till  the  20th  of  September, 
1829,  when  the  Lord  called  him  home  to  rest  from  his  la- 
bors,  and  to  wear  his  crown.  Thus  fell  a  gallant  soldier. —  < 
For  many  lone  years  he  had  fought  under  the  banner  of 
Prince  Immanuel,  and  proved  himself  faithful  till  the  last. 
He  was  a  noble  man — was  possessed  of  a  large  heart,  gen- 
erous feelings  and  willing  hands.  As  a  public  speaker,  he 
was  not  remarkably  gifted  as  an  orator;  nor  celebrated  as 
a  logician.  But  the  great  success  with  which  he  met,  wras 
owing  in  no  small  degree,  to  his  profound  earnestness,  his  ? 
plain,  pointed  and  powerful  application  of  truth.  Often  ^ 
while  delivering  his  solemn  messages,  the  big,  manly  tear,  \ 
would  steal  down  his  cheek,  showing  that  he  felt  what  he  ) 
said. 

He  could  sympathise  with  his  people  in  all  their  distress- 
es ;  hence,  he  and  his  flock  were  knit  together  in  love,  as 


f The  Presbytery  of  Orange  then  extended  over  all  that  territory  now  oc-      S 


cupicd  by  Concord  Presbytery. 


&*#"  -<m 


14  HISTORICAL    ADDRESS.  < 


were  the  hearts  of  David  and  Jonathan.  During  the  great 
Revival  of  1802,  lie  took  an  exceedingly  active  part.  Some 
\  thought  him  too  enthusiastic.  He  loved  to  see  his  people 
weep  under  the  truth,  and  what  good  man  does  not?  and  if 
they  were  disposed  to  shout  aloud  and  praise  God  for  His 


\ 


wonderful  goodness  to  them,  he  made  no  sort  of  objection.  S 

On  one  occasion,  it  is  said,  while  preaching  at  a  certain 

place,  many  of  his  hearers  became  noisy  in  their  joy,  so  \ 

much  so  that  those  who  were  opposed  to  that  sort  of  pro-  ) 

cedure,  thought  it  better  to  carry  outside  of  the  Church,  \ 

those  who  were  inclined  to  shout;  one  after  another  was  ) 

taken,  until  quite  a  multitude  had  been  removed.     Theven-  ; 

erable  minister  paused  for  a  moment  and  came  down  from  ) 

the  pulpit,  and  remarked  that  he  "loved  to  preach  to  those  j> 

noisy  people,''  and  went  out  into  the  grove  where  they  J 
were,  and  resumed  his  discourse.     Mr.  Ivilpatrick  lived  in 

excitement.     He  loved  to  see  men  feel  their  religion,  and  s 

who  does  not?     Religion  is  of  sufficient  importance  to  ex-  ( 

<      cite  the  most  stupid  soul,  and  when  felt  to  arouse  the  dull-  ( 


est  of  men.  I 

} 

< 


Hence,  during  his  ministry,    Camp-meetings  were  com- 
mon occurrences.     Multitudes  of  families  from  a  distance, 
as  well  as  those  near  by,  would  assemble  around  the  sacred 
spot,  and  soldier-like,  pitch  their  tent  and  spend  many  days     ) 
and  nights  together  in  the  solemn  worship  of  God.     On  oc-     ) 
casions  like  these,  the  great  soul  of  Ivilpatrick  was  fired     \ 
with  holv  zeal  for  the  glory  of  his  master,  and  for  the  sal-     \ 
vation  of  men.     How  delightful  it  must  have  been  to  see 
this  consecrated  grove  illumined  with  the  camp-fires  of  de- 
vout worshippers,  and  to  hear  these  hills  and  valleys  echo     X 
the  high  praises  of  Jehovah.     When  Ave  hear  the  history  of    j 
those  times  recited,  we  almost  wish  that  we  had  lived  in 


( 
) 

(  •    b 


I  HISTORICAL   ADDRESS.  15 


After  the  death  of  Mr.  Kilpatrick,  the  congregation  was 
(     without  a  minister  for  about  one  year,  until  the  5th  of  Oc- 


c  the  clays  of  our  fathers.  Religion  seemed  then  to  take  a 
I  deeper  hold  on  the  human  heart  than  it  does  now.  But 
•  those  times  are  gone.  A  half  a  century  has  rolled  away. 
)  And  great  changes  have  been  wrought ;  cold,  calculating 
utilitarianism  seems  to  have  taken  the  place  of  earnest  en- 
thusiastic religion.  But  to  return,  time  would  fail  us  to  tell 
)  all  the  excellencies  of  the  first  Pastor  of  Back  Creek,  or  to 
>  speak  of  all  the  interesting  occurrences  in  his  eventful  min- 
;  istry  ;  occurrences  too,  that  are  worthy  of  a  place  on  histo- 
S  ry's  permanent  page.  Suffice  it  to  say,  while  he  lived,  he 
5  lived  in  the  hearts  of  his  people,  and  labored  for  the  up 
)  building  of  the  Church,  and  for  the  glory  of  the  Redeem-  I 
)  er's  kingdom.  And  now  since  he  is  dead,  his  memory  is  ( 
)  cherished  with  the  fondest  affection  ;  and  his  works  do  fol-  ( 
low  him.  Doubtless  the  effects  of  his  life  and  labors,  will  i 
be  felt  on  generations  unborn. 

His  body  lies  in  Third  Creek  grave  yard.     "He  sleeps 
his  last  sleep,  he  has  fought  his  last  battle.     ~No  sound  can     s 
awake  him  to   glory  again,"  till  the  Archangel's  trump 
shall  bid  him  arise.  \ 


tober,  1830,  when  the  Rev.  Andrew  Y.  Lockridge,  a  Licen-  ) 

tiate  of  Lexington  Presbytery,  Virgin ia,  was  invited  to  be  his  ) 
successor.     On  the  25th  of  May,  1832,  he  was  ordained  and 
installed  Pastor  of  Back  Creek  and  Third  Creek  Churches, 
one  half  of  his  time  at  each  Church.     This  arrangement 

continued  till  1836,  when  Back  Creek  employed  him  for  the  ) 

whole  of  his  time.     He  remained  with  this  people  to  break  > 

unto  them  the  bread  of  life  until  1845,  when  he  removed  ) 

to  the  Presbytery  of  Cherokee,  in  Georgia,  where  he  still  S 

lives ;  and  is  ministering  to  a  Church  called  Pleasant  Green.  \ 


(       16  HISTORICAL   ADDRESS.  < 

( 

May  his  life  and  labors  ever  be  pleasant,  and  may  be  be 
spared  to  a  green  old  age. 

On  the  31st  March,  1846,  he  was  succeeded  by  the  Rev. 
Thomas  E.  Davis,  who  continued  to  minister  unto  this  peo- 
ple in  holy  things  until  March,  1851,  when  he  removed  to 
Rutherfordton,  and  entered  upon  the  labors  of  a  Domestic 
Missionary. 

In  June,  1852,  he  was  succeeded  by  Mr.  Robert  Agnew, 

a  Licentiate  under  the  care  of  Concord  Presbytery,  who 
S  remained  only  for  the  short  space  of  one  year  and  two 
)     months.     His  time  and  labors  were  equally  divided  between 

Thyatira  and  Back  Creek.  These  two  Churches,  long  sep- 
{  arated,  were  again  united.  The  venerable  mother  of  more 
(  than  a  hundred  years,  and  her  daughter  of  half  a  century, 
S     a°rain  embraced  each  other.     Mav  their  mutual  love  in- 

crease  with  their  age;  and  may  the  ties  of  affection,  which 

bind  them  now,  yet  be  stronger  ! 

In  March,  1854,  he  who  now  addresses  you,  commenced 
his  labors  in  your  midst.  May  the  Lord  of  all  grace  ever 
give  him  wisdom  and  ability  to  perform  aright  the  solemn 
duties  of  his  office.  Let  us  next  notice  briefly,  the  Elder- 
ship of  the  Church.  Her  first  rulers,  five  in  number,  were 
elected  and  ordained  in  Thyatira.  But  after  Back  Creek 
sprang  off  and  became  a  separate  organization,  they  having 
come  with  the  seceding  party,  were  elected  again  to  the 
{     same  office  here,  that  they  held  in  the  mother  Church. 

The  original  Bench  was  as  follows : — Thomas  King,  John 
<  Barr,  William  Bell,  Abraham  Lowrance  and  Thomas  Gil- 
(  lespie.  Their  life  has  been  sketched  in  another  place,  and 
\  therefore  it  is  not  necessary  here  to  recite  it  again.  But 
\     such  men  as  these  deserve  a  more  extended  notice.     They 


HISTORICAL   ADDKESS.  IT       > 

should  have  a  place  in  the  history  of  the  Church,  as  well  ) 
as  a  place  in  our  memory.  They  performed  a  great  work,  ) 
in  their  day,  both  for  their  Church,  and  for  their  communi-     ) 

)  tj.  They  served  their  Master  with  fidelity,  and  are  doubt- 
less now,  enjoying  a  rich  reward  for  all  the  toils  they  bore, 
and  for  all  the  trials  they  endured.  They  have  long  since 
gone  to  their  graves,  where  neither  praise  nor  blame,  have 
any  power  to  arouse  them.  The  dull  cold  ear  of  death  can- 
not hear.     Then,  honor  to  their  names,  and  peace  to  their 

I     ashes. 

) 

On  the  27th  of  December,  1806,  William  Kilpatrick, 

') 


Samuel  McMeely  and  Geurge  Andrew,  were  added  to  the 
list  of  Elders — men  of  whom  we  cannot  speak  too  highly. 
Each  was  distinguished  for  his  own  excellency  of  character. 
When  sitting  in  council  about  the  welfare  of  the  Church,  it 

>  is  said  William  Kilpatrick  would  devise  ways  and  means 
for  the  prosperity  of  Zion.     George  Andrew  would  dis- 

)  course  on  its  practicability.  He  would  present  it  in  one 
aspect  and  then  in  another,  imorder  that  it  might  be  weigh- 
ed well, — while  the  venerable  John  Barr  and  Samuel  Mc- 
Eeely  who  knew  their  Bible  by  heart,  would  decide  wheth- 
er it  were  right  or  not,  or  whether  it  would  be  for  the  gen- 
eral good.  Thus  each  wheel  in  the  machinery  performed  its 
part ;  and  the  consequence  was,  the  Church,  like  a  healthy 
plant,  grew  and  nourished,  and  became  a  praise  in  the  land. 
In  1833,  another  addition  was  made  to  the  Session  by  the 
election  and  ordination  of  William  King,  Thomas  Mathews, 
John  Houston,  John  M.  Lowrance,  and  Abner  Adams. — 
Only  two  of  this  number  are  spared  to  be  with  us  now. 
The  other  three  have  fallen  asleep.  They  were  men  with 
whom  you  were  all  familiar.     Their  names  are  embalmed 


j 


i-?\ 


mrc 


18  HISTORICAL   ADDRESS. 


in  jour  memories.     Their  excellencies  are  well  known. — 
And  yon  have  long  since  mourned  their  loss. 

In  1836,  Col.  John  F.  McCorkle,  Ebenezer  McEeely,  and 
Dr.  D.  C.  Mebane,  were  numbered  among  the  Rulers  of 
Back  Creek.  The  two  last  mentioned,  have  removed  to 
different  fields  of  labor.  Mr.  J.  St.  Kilpatrick  was  elected 
in  1841,  but  continued  only  a  short  time.  He  and  his  ven- 
erable father,  William  Kilpatrick,  were  soon  afteiwvards 
borne  to  the  house  appointed  for  all  the  living.  In  life, 
they  were  united,  and  in  death  they  wrere  not  divided.  The  j 
father  died  on  one  day,  and  the  son  followed  on  the  next- 
Mr.  John  Shive,  an  Elder  from  Bethpage,  was  received  into 
this  Church,  and  also  elected  as  one  of  her  Elders.  After 
a  few  years  sojourn  with  us,  he  set  out  to  seek  his  fortune     \ 


William  King,  John  M.  Lowrance,  Col.  John  F.  McCorkle, 
D.  II.  Patterson,  James  E.  Andrew,  and  Dr.  Samuel  D.  Ran- 
in.  In  all,  there  have  been  twenty-one  Elders  in  Back 
Creek,  since  its  organization  ;  thirteen  of  that  number  are 
dead,  and  nine  are  living.  It  may  here  be  remarked  with 
propriety,  that  the  Session  of  this  Church  has  been  repre- 
sented three  times  in  the  General  Assembly.  George  An- 
drewr  was  twice  honored  with  a  seat  in  that  body,  and  Wil- 
liam King  once. 

Speaking  with  reference  to  the  dead,  wTe  honestly  believe 
that  no  Church  can  boast  of  a  better  Eldership,  than  that 
which  lived  and  ruled  in  Back  Creek.  It  was  their  meat 
and   drink  to  do  their  Master's  will.     Their  religion  was 


m  the  great  West,  where  he  yet  lives.     The  present  Session     ^ 

\ 
( 
} 


of  this  Church  consists  of  the  following  gentlemen,  viz  :— 


( 


ever  of  a  lively  sort.     In  fact  the  Church  was  born  in  the 
midst  of  a  revival,  and  often  since,  has  it  been  watered  with     ) 
with  the  dews  of  heaven.     Bible  Classes,  Sabbath  Schools     \ 


HISTORICAL     ADDRESS.  19 

) 

I  and  Prayer-Meetings  have  here,  ever  been  considered  ne- 
?  cessary  accompaniments,  to  the  preaching  of  the  Gospel. 
Hence,  God  has  often  heard  their  prayers,  and  conferred 
rich  blessings  upon  the  Church  and  her  children.  And 
may  we,  the  unworthy  sons  and  daughters  of  noble  ances- 
tors, never  tarnish  the  good  name  handed  down  to  us,  by 
proving  recreant  to  our  high  trust,  or  by  being  sluggards  in  s 
the  Lord's  vineyard.  May  we  ever  worship  with  our  whole 
heart  the  God  of  our  fathers ;  yea,  may  we  pant  after  Him 
as  the  hart  panteth  after  the  water  brooks. 

And,  in  conclusion  brethren,  let  us  dedicate  this  neat  and 
tasteful  house,*  to  the  worship  of  the  Most  High,  as  a  \ 
thank  offering,  at  this  semi-centenary  celebration  because 
of  his  wonderful  goodness  to  us.  In  His  good  providence, 
this  Church  has  been  preserved  for  many  years.  It  has 
been  blessed  with  Ministers  and  Rulers  until  now.  It  has 
grown  from  a  small  and  feeble  flock  to  its  present  size  and 
strength.  And  this  day  we  are  permitted  to  assemble  in  a 
building  of  beautiful  proportions,  and  one  in  some  degree  ) 
worthy  of  the  object  for  which  it  was  erected.  We,  and 
those  who  lived  before  us,  until  now,  were  content  to  wor- 
ship in  a  sanctuary  of  more  humble  pretensions;  but  God 
has  done  great  things  for  us  whereof  we  are  glad.  It  should 
be  the  earnest  prayer  of  all,  that  the  glory  of  this  latter 
house  might  be  greater  than  of  the  former.  That  our  use- 
fulness as  a  Church  might  be  more  extensively  felt.  That  ( 
by  our  instrumentality,  peace  might  be  given  to  many 
troubled   souls.     And   that   the   Gospel   of  the   Prince  of 

*This  house  was  erected  under  the  supervision  of  the  following  Committee, 
viz  ;  Dr.  Samuel  D.  Rankin,  Chairman,  Col.  Alfred  M.  Goodman,  Treasurer, 
Col.  John  F.  McCorkle,  Maj.  David  R.  Bradshaw,  and  David  H.  Patterson.      ) 
They  performed  their  part  with  fidelity,  and  therefore  deserve  to  be  honora- 
bly mentioned. 


>3Lg§] 


<£r* 


<      20  HISTORICAL   ADDKESS.  ( 

\ - 


Peace,  by   our   assistance,  might   speedily   be   carried    to     I 
earth's  remotest  bounds.     Our  fathers  did  well,  yea  they 
acted  nobly  in  their  day.     But  G-od  calls  upon  us  to  do. more     ( 
than  they  did.     They  lived  in  what  may  be  called  a  forma-     c 
tive  period,  when  the  machinery  of  the  Church  for  enlarged 
benevolence  was  being  prepared.     We  are  "fifty  years  in     ) 
their  advance,  when  that  machinery,  in  a  measure,  has  been 
completed.     And  now  occupying  this  vantage-ground,  God 
calls  upon  us  to  make  that  machinery  bear  with  power  up- 
on the  world.     Just  as  our  opportunity  for  doing  good  in- 
creases, just  in  the  same  proportion  does  our  obligation  to 
labor  increase. 

G-od  has  called  us  upon  the  world's  great  stage,  in  the 
midst  of  the  nineteenth  century — when  opportunities  for 
usefulness  stand  thick  around  us,  and  surely  he  expects  each 
man  to  act  well  his  part.  And,  brethren,  we  must  act  that  \ 
part  n-ow, — to-morrow  we  may  be  gathered  with  the  pale 
nations  of  the  dead.  We  are  this  day  forcibly  reminded  of 
the  truth  that  we  should  do  quickly  that  which  we  purpose 
doing.  Many  lived  to  see  this  building  commenced, 
who  never  saw  it  completed.  Among  those  were  four  heads 
of  families,  who  fondly  hoped  to  be  with  us  at  its  dedica- 
tion, but  to-day  they  lie  in  yonder  grave-yard.  In  a  few 
more  years,  and  God  only  knows  how  few,  we  all  shall  be 
gathered  with  them,  to  our  cold  and  silent  graves.  O  then, 
let  us  be  up  and  doing  while  it  is  called  to-day.  With  gen- 
erous hearts  and  liberal  hands,  let  us  labor  while  we  live. 
Let  us  gird  the  Gospel  armor  on,  and  work  like  christian 
men.     Let  us  never  grow  weary  in  so  glorious  a  cause. — 

Let  us  determine  never  to  lay  down  our  weapons  until  vic- 
tory shall  crown  our  noblest  efforts.  And  until  the  whole 
Church  shall  arise  and  "  shine,  clear  as  the  sun,  fair  as  the 
moon,  and  terrible  as  an  army  with  banners." 

M 


/Put.  (ulch^ZXM.  t     fi£*f  &e  ^-*< 

VH&  if^S    \*^    fit      (2olol*U^ 


&U.    in**-  /SI    (t^^h. 


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